Neiphiu Rio (born 1950) is the Chief Minister of Nagaland, India. Rio is the son of Guolhoulie Rio of Tuophema village in Kohima District. He received his early education from Baptist English School, Kohima and Sainik School.
Rio is a member of the Nagaland People's Front which joined other Naga regionalist parties and the state branch of the BJP under his leadership to form the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, a coalition which won the 2003 state elections, bringing the 15-year-long rule of the Indian National Congress in the state to the end. Rio took office as chief minister on March 6, 2003.He was formerly Nagaland's Home Minister as part of the cabinet headed by SC Jamir, presently the Governor of Goa. This was when Rio was a member of the Indian National Congress (INC).
